diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 412c02b..84e3190 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 .shsf.json
-prompt.txt
\ No newline at end of file
+prompt.txt
+__pycache__/
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8da71e7..70187e1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ The following environment variables are required for the service to function:
 | `DATABASE_STORAGE_NAME` | The name of the database storage to use. |
 | `AGENT_USERNAME` | The Gitea username of the AI agent (e.g., `whateveryouragentisnamed`). |
 | `AGENT_PROMPT_FILE` | (Optional) Path to a custom Markdown template for notifications. If not provided, a default template will be used. |
+| `AGENT_HOURLY` | (Optional) Maximum number of triggers allowed per hour. Defaults to `60`. Used for rate limiting. |
 
 ## How it works
 
diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index 6a587d2..29287ed 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ OPENCLAW_THINKING = os.getenv("OPENCLAW_THINKING", "low")
 DATABASE_STORAGE = os.getenv("DATABASE_STORAGE_NAME")
 AGENT_USERNAME = os.getenv("AGENT_USERNAME")
 AGENT_PROMPT_FILE = os.getenv("AGENT_PROMPT_FILE")
+AGENT_HOURLY = int(os.getenv("AGENT_HOURLY", "60"))
 
 eventsToHandle = ["pull_request", "issues", "issue_comment"]
 actionsToHandle = ["assigned", "created"]
@@ -76,6 +77,43 @@ def delete_stored_assignees(db, event_type, repository_id, number):
         print(f"Failed to delete assignees from DB: {e}")
 
 
+def get_rate_limit_key():
+    return f"agent_{AGENT_USERNAME}_cooldown"
+
+
+def check_and_increment_rate_limit(db):
+    """Check if rate limit is reached, increment counter if not. Returns True if allowed, False if limit reached."""
+    key = get_rate_limit_key()
+    try:
+        current = db.get(DATABASE_STORAGE, key)
+        if current is None:
+            current = 0
+        else:
+            current = int(current)
+
+        if current >= AGENT_HOURLY:
+            print(f"Rate limit reached: {current}/{AGENT_HOURLY} hourly triggers used.")
+            return False
+
+        db.set(DATABASE_STORAGE, key, str(current + 1))
+        print(f"Rate limit check passed: {current + 1}/{AGENT_HOURLY} hourly triggers used.")
+        return True
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Failed to check/increment rate limit: {e}")
+        # On error, allow the request to proceed
+        return True
+
+
+def reset_rate_limit(db):
+    """Reset the hourly rate limit counter."""
+    key = get_rate_limit_key()
+    try:
+        db.set(DATABASE_STORAGE, key, "0")
+        print(f"Rate limit reset for agent {AGENT_USERNAME}.")
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"Failed to reset rate limit: {e}")
+
+
 def fill_template(template, event_object, action_str, type_str):
     fields = {
         "action_str": action_str,
@@ -129,7 +167,7 @@ def build_message(event_object, action_str, type_str):
     return message
 
 
-def sendToAgent(event_object):
+def sendToAgent(event_object, db):
     headers = {"x-openclaw-token": OPENCLAW_TOKEN, "Content-Type": "application/json"}
     print(f"Preparing to send notification to Agent for {json.dumps(event_object)}")
 
@@ -155,6 +193,11 @@ def sendToAgent(event_object):
             )
             return
 
+    # Check rate limit before sending
+    if not check_and_increment_rate_limit(db):
+        print("Rate limit reached. Skipping notification to agent.")
+        return
+
     message = build_message(event_object, action_str, type_str)
 
     try:
@@ -355,7 +398,7 @@ def main(args):
 
                 # Send to OpenClaw
                 if action == "assigned":
-                    sendToAgent(event_object)
+                    sendToAgent(event_object, db)
                 else:
                     print(f"Action {action} is not configured to send to agent")
 
@@ -381,7 +424,7 @@ def main(args):
                 "url": comment_data.get("html_url"),
             }
 
-            sendToAgent(event_object)
+            sendToAgent(event_object, db)
 
         return {
             "_shsf": "v2",
@@ -389,6 +432,24 @@ def main(args):
             "_res": {"status": "received"},
             "_headers": {"Content-Type": "application/json"},
         }
+    elif route == "clear_limit":
+        # Reset the hourly rate limit counter
+        try:
+            reset_rate_limit(db)
+            return {
+                "_shsf": "v2",
+                "_code": 200,
+                "_res": {"status": "Rate limit reset"},
+                "_headers": {"Content-Type": "application/json"},
+            }
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Failed to reset rate limit: {e}")
+            return {
+                "_shsf": "v2",
+                "_code": 500,
+                "_res": {"error": "Failed to reset rate limit"},
+                "_headers": {"Content-Type": "application/json"},
+            }
     else:
         return {
             "_shsf": "v2",